The Triskelion Grand Fraternity was organized on October 4, 1968 by four Arts and Science students from the University of the Philippines, in the Diliman campus, Quezon City, Philippines. The fraternity was originally named Order of the U.P. Triskelions. The group swelled in ranks and gained its recognition when the Greek lettered TAU GAMMA PHI was adopted. Few years later, chapters from other college and university campuses in the Philippines were established.
The TAU GAMMA PHI aims for promoting to achieve the ideals of fraternal brotherhood. The fraternity believes that it must forge its members to embody qualities of leadership, commitment, persistence, trust, integrity, respect, and vision. This fraternity aims for academic success, personal, career and spiritual growth, active participation in the community through service and social activities. The TAU GAMMA PHI is connected to developing a best-in-class brotherhood organization; a student organization that embodies its own ideals and mission in accordance to fraternity’s Tenets and Codes of Conduct.

A member of TAU GAMMA PHI is called Triskelion. Triskelion is a”Three Legged Symbol”as shown on the fraternity seal, and its origin is a mystery. A Triskelion has always lived up to the motto, “it will stand no matter where you throw it”, which accompanies its seal –Strength, Free Will and Brotherhood.
TRISKELION – The conglomeration of Three Dynamic Forces in the Universe.

FORTIS – inner and outer strength
VOLUNTAS – free will and initiative
FRATERNITAS – brotherhood

MISSION – Our Statement of Purpose

The Tau Gamma Phi exist to:

Develop Triskelions who shall be Leaders among men
Foster Positive Change in the Fraternity System and in our Society

VISION – Our Common Aspirations

1. Leaders among men

Excelling in their chosen fields of endeavor

2. Change Agents in the Fraternity System and in our Society

Advocating inter-fraternity peace & cooperation
Engaging in friendly competition
Supporting good governance
Modeling active community service

By Founding Father Bro. Tito Venida

1. Great leaders never desire to lead but to serve.
2. Great leaders are original.
3. Great leaders grow leaders.
4. Great leaders lead themselves first; in doing so, they inspire others.
5. Great leaders are God-centered.
6. Position doesn’t make a man a leader; True courage does.
7. Leadership demands personal sacrifice.
8. Great leaders are independent and tactical thinkers, they master, control and discipline themselves.
9. Great leaders are never intimidated.
10. Great leaders know who they are.
11. Great leaders are constantly seeking for wisdom and knowledge. Therefore if you desire to be a great and effective leader, you must give yourself to the study and never graduate from the University of Life.
12. Great leaders speak their knowledge at the right time, in the right words, to the right person.
13. Great leaders know where to draw strength. For years and years I used to pray for strength but never received an ounce of it. Why? Because all the strength I ever needed are already in me.
14. Great leaders are not afraid of rejection and criticism. They are not discouraged by them.
15. A great leaders life becomes the property of those he serves.
16. Leadership is the ability to control knowledge and power.

The turbulent 60′s was a decade of social and political upheavals in the annals of Philippine.

The period saw the breakdown of traditional beliefs and long-held values in favor of newer and more progressive ideas. In almost every aspect of Philippine life and culture, CHANGE seemed to be the rightful order of the day.
The Fraternity system in the University of the Philippines was immune from these external developments. As extraordinary times, called for and breed extraordinary men. 1968 saw the wielding together of 25 concerned student leaders with a vision of introducing change and reforms in the feudal and decadent nature of the existing Fraternity System. Then the result was the creation on October 4 of the same year of the UP Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity, better known as Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity.

The Tau Gamma Phi is a protest Fraternity, better life, and as such, it has committed itself in the Fraternity Life and as such it has committed itself uncompromisingly to the two-fold task of providing the leadership in the quest for a Fraternity System devoid of Fraternity violence as well as in the propagation of the TRISKELION as a Way of Life.

Through the years, the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity has never strayed from it’s goals, and although the cause of which it has chosen to champion has proven to be difficult and sometimes, seemingly hopeless, the Fraternity has, nevertheless survived and even increased a thousand-fold in strength and in number, knowing fully well that peace is a product of strength and not of weakness, where other fraternities with the same noble intentions failed to succumbed into non-existence by adopting a passive resistance to fraternity violence; the Tau Gamma Phi has chosen not to follow the same path lest it suffers the same fate.

Furthermore, as a manifestation of its sincerity towards the achievement of such goal, the Fraternity has taken an active role in organizing inter-fraternity alliances in the various schools and universities all over the country in the hope that such alliances will provide the conducive atmosphere where fraternities can slowly grow and mature together in a fellowship of mutual trust and respect in each other’s philosophies and ideals. “De gustibus non desputandum est – of likes and dislikes there should be no disputing, live and let live”, this is one of the guiding principles of the Triskelions.

Today, the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity is already one of the biggest, most cohesive, and most dynamic fraternities in the Philippines. It boast of membership of every colleges and universities around the country, and now in all regions of the United States of America and other continents of the world; and true to its objective of changing the elitist orientation of the fraternity system, the Fraternity had decided to open its door to out-of-school youth so that they, who were not privileged of education, may also share in the fruits and the glory of the Tau Gamma Phi / Sigma.

On October 4, 1968, the Tau Gamma Phi Triskelions’ Grand Fraternity was established in the University of the Philippines, the rest is History.

Triskelions do not go where the path leads them.They brave where there is no path and LEAD the way
“A True Triskelion is not he who practices one Tenet or Code of Conduct, but he who can harmonize all of them.

Tau Gamma Phi also known as the Triskelions' Grand Fraternity, is a fraternity founded at the University of the Philippines, Diliman on October 4, 1968. Besides being the largest and most dominant fraternity in the Philippines, the Tau Gamma Phi is also a protest fraternity, and as such it has committed itself uncompromisingly to the twofold task of providing the leadership in the quest for a Fraternity System devoid of fraternity violence as well as in the propagation of the Triskelion principles as a way of life. The Fraternity System in the University of the Philippines was not immune from these external developments. As extraordinary times, called for extraordinary breed of men. The year 1968 saw the wielding together of six concerned student leaders with a vision of introducing feasible changes and appropriate reforms in the feudal and decadent nature of the existing Fraternity System. Then the result was the creation on October 4 of the same year of the UP Triskelions' Grand Fraternity, better known as Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity.

Through the years, the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity has never strayed from its goals, and although the cause of which it has chosen to champion has proven to be difficult and sometimes, seemingly hopeless, as it is sucked repeatedly into the void of fraternity violence that it has fought hard to end. The Fraternity has, nevertheless survived and even increased a thousand-fold in strength and in number. Knowing fully well that peace is a product of strength and not of weakness. Where other fraternities with the same noble intentions failed and succumbed into non-existence by adopting a passive stance against fraternity violence; the Tau Gamma Phi has chosen not to follow the same path. Lest it suffers the same fate.

Furthermore, as a manifestation of its sincerity towards the achievement of such goal, the Fraternity has taken an active role in organizing inter-fraternity alliances in the various schools and universities all over the country in the hope that such alliances will provide the conducive atmosphere where fraternities can slowly grow and mature together in fellowship and mutual trust by respecting each other's philosophies and ideals. "De gustibus non desputandum est - of likes and dislikes there should be no disputing, live and let live", this is one of the guiding principles of the Triskelion.

Today, the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity is already the biggest and most cohesive fraternity in the Philippines. It boasts membership numbering to about eighthundred thousand including community chapters known as the Triskelion Youth Moement or TYM. It maintains numerous college and university chapters around the country, and now with Triskelion Alumni Organizations (T.A.O.) in all regions of the United States of America and other continents of the world.

Tau Gamma Phi's vision and mission is to serve and excel in all fields of human endeavor. Thus, a way of life in accordance with the Tenets and the Triskelion Codes of Conduct while empowering the principle: "Man is Brother unto Man". All Triskelions share a common ground and that is to support every endeavor each member has chosen and help make every member's dream come true.

The Founding

The Tau Gamma Phi or the Triskelions' Grand Fraternity was established at the University of the Philippines, Diliman in Quezon City, Philippines on October 4, 1968, by student leaders from U.P. College of Arts and Sciences. They were all members of the U.P. Political Science Club. In the pre-martial law years, they were active street parliamentarians, knowing the impending social upheaval and political turmoil looming in the fatherland.

Moved from the discovery of a problem and by seeking viable solutions and initiating purposeful action for personal, familial, vocational and community betterment, prompted the action-group of Rod Confesor, Roy Ordinario, Talek Pablo, Tito Venida, Restituto Alfonso and Romeo Fortes to form "The Order of the U.P. Triskelions". Initially however, this small group did not much influence the times and decisions within the university so that it was renamed "The Order of the Grand Triskelions". Again, due to lack of interest by the studentry, led to another renaming of the group. Realizing the trend of ever growing popularity of the Greek-named organizations in the campus, finding common interests and being bonded by very similar principles, the founders voted to change the organization to a Greek-Lettered name. Finally adopting the Greek letters Tau (Τ), Gamma (Γ) and Phi (Φ), which stands for Triskelions' Grand Fraternity on that fateful Friday of October in the year Nineteen Hundred and Sixty Eight.

The Four Founding Fathers

By now only four of the original six founders were left to continue the saga of their vision for the Fraternity, more famously known to its members as the "The Four Founding Fathers" or just plain "FFF" for short. They are Rodrigo "Rod" Sta. Maria Confesor, Roy Alolor Ordinario, Talek Hamias Pablo, and Vedasto "Tito" Sario Venida. Convinced of the success of a unified endeavor, the Founding Fathers proved to be the real pillars that was later manifested in the succeeding recognition of the Fraternity at the University of the Philippines. Showing the public a discipline and collective determination and good examples, the Fraternity got the attention and respect of the University of the Philippines student body so that in the process an enlightened group headed by Triskelion Jun Rodriguez took the leap-of-faith forward by inaugurating the Fraternity in 1968 at Cavite - the first site of formal initiation, to be the first "Founding Batch" of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity. Under the leadership of Founding Father Rod Confessor as the first Grand Triskelion, much influence and action came to the history of the fraternity which reached to the heights by gaining control of the College of Arts and Sciences (C.A.S.) student body. The C.A.S. at that time was the dominant college within the University with regards to the logic of numbers, which therefore proved that the Tau Gamma Phi is a group to reckon with.

The Founding Fathers proved to be the paradigm of leadership as the Fraternity attained official recognition at the University of the Philippines. By showing discipline, collective determination and good examples, the Fraternity further grabbed the attention and respect of the University of the Philippines students. Much influence and action came to the history of the fraternity which reached to the heights by gaining control of the College of Arts and Sciences (C.A.S.) student body. The C.A.S. at that time was the dominant college within the University with regards to the logic of numbers, which therefore proved that the Tau Gamma Phi is a group to reckon with.

The Early Chapters and the 1970's - A Decade of Awakening

Reaping the fruits of labor, discipline and confidence of the University of the Philippines Chapter, the Triskelion principles reverberated outside of the U.P.-Diliman campus, which signaled the advancement of the fraternity. The inspired U.P. Chapter founded a new home for Triskelions at the Philippine Maritime Institute (P.M.I.) on August 3, 1969. Seven months later, another group of students at the Far Eastern Aeronautics and Technical Institute (F.E.A.T.I.) now known only as FEATI University also embraced the Tenets and principles of the Triskelion on March 5, 1970. Following the success at the P.M.I. and FEATI University, the Fraternity explored at the Mapua Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) on April 1970, and was later revived on December 2, 1973. While at the National University (Philippines) (N.U.) the Fraternity readily found acceptance on October 23, 1970 and the Philippine School of Business Administration (P.S.B.A.) - Manila, on August 21, 1971. Following these developments came a succession of chapter foundations.

In the next few years many other chapters would follow suit. Trying to find a Christian home the Tau Gamma Phi was founded in the two biggest Catholic universities in the nation, the University of Santo Tomas (U.S.T.) on March 1, 1971, and at the Adamson University (Ad.U.) on July 8, 1973, and in that same year National College of Business and Arts (N.C.B.A.) - Manila on October 1973. The year 1974 saw the series of foundations and gave birth to the chapters at the University of the East (U.E.) - Manila and also on January 21, at the Manuel L. Quezon University (M.L.Q.U.) came on October 8 and at the San Sebastian College (S.S.C.) on November 19. These schools,colleges and universities will ultimately complete the phenomenal growth of the Fraternity in the early 1970s, but it didn't stop there. The meteoric rise of the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity in that decade have only just began.

After the 3rd Regional Convention in 1975 at Narvaez Farm in Laguna, another school embraced the Tenets and the Codes of Conduct of the Fraternity. The Far Eastern University (F.E.U.) was founded on July 27, 1975, the 13th and only chapter found in that year. Then the next year, 1976, six succeeding chapters have been founded one after the other. They are the Philippine College of Arts and Trades (P.C.A.T.), now the Technological University of the Philippines (T.U.P.) on February 22, 1976, the University of Manila (U.M.) on March 7, 1976, the Central Colleges of the Philippines (C.C.P.) on July 11, 1976, the Philippine College of Criminology (P.C.Cr.) on August 7, 1976, the Lyceum of the Philippines on August 15, 1976, the Gregorio Araneta University Foundation (G.A.U.F.), now the De La Salle Araneta University on October 15, 1976, making 1976 the most productive year for the Fraternity.

Then a few more chapters had been added in the later part of the 1970s. The De Ocampo Memorial College (D.O.M.C.) on August 30, 1977, the Eulogio "Amang" Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (E.A.R.I.S.T.) on March 19, 1978, the Philippine Air Transport and Training Services (P.A.T.T.S.), now called PATTS College of Aeronautics on September 5, 1978, and to close the decade with a bang, the Philippine Merchant Marine School (P.M.M.S.) - Manila on March 2, 1979, and the Perpetual Help College of Rizal (P.H.C.R.) - Las Piñas, now University of Perpetual Help System on August 9, 1979, were established.

The 1970s is the most challenging but also the most fruitful decade for the Tau Gamma Phi being a young Fraternity. This trend of chapter foundations goes on through the 1980s and 1990s, and until now, in the new millennium, new chapters in schools, colleges, universities and even communities in some far flung corners of the Philippines were being established. Making it the biggest and most dynamic fraternity in the country.

The Martial Law Era

The Raid

Preceding the declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 1972 it was noted that advancing the cause of the studentry and spreading social awareness were unifying activities among fraternities and other cause-oriented groups. This is when nationalism and brotherhood were so intense that the efforts of the Triskelions were gradually made manifest and distinguished. Through Proclamation No. 1081 by the late dictator President Ferdinand E. Marcos, the Fraternity being a staunch critic of the Marcos administration, together with other fraternities and organizations in UP, became the target of military harassments and illegal detentions. The oppressive Marcos regime, believing that these student organizations posed a threat to the status quo. Ostensibly due to "leftist" leanings, the Tau Gamma Phi Fraternity's office inside the UP campus was raided under an Arrest-Search and Seizure Order signed by then Secretary of Defense and one of the "Architects of Martial Law", Juan Ponce Enrile which resulted in the confiscation of several allegedly "subversive" materials and documents. Fortunately, no one was in the office at the time of the raid.

The Junior Triskelions - A milestone in frat history

Struggling from the effects of Martial Law which suspended all fraternal and organizational activity within the collegiate levels and the arrests of all militant students, the Fraternity decided to stay low to avoid being tagged as a subversive group working for the Communists out to destabilize the government, although a lot of its members went underground and took up arms to join the New People's Army, the armed paramilitary group of the Communist Party of the Philippines, in the mountains and jungles. These developments temporarily freezed the recruitment of new members, and without fresh bloods to replace the old ones, these resulted in the dwindling down of membership population, due to graduating members or just simply dropping out of school.

The Fraternity's Metro Manila Regional Council at that time, led by Secretary-General Atty. Ramoncito "Monching" Ocampo, explored the idea to tap the younger generations. They decided to recruit in the High School sector. This gave birth to the "Junior Tau Gamma Phi" or better known as the "Junior Triskelions", founded at San Beda College - High School in 1975, where Triskelion Boyet Gorospe was one of the founders. The rationale behind this is, to be able to solve the recruitment problems in the collegiate levels since these High School students will eventually graduate and attend college in the future. This initiative was both simple and effective but the recruitment problem was somehow solved. A milestone in fraternity history in the Philippines, the Tau Gamma Phi was the first fraternity to have high school students as equal members. When other fraternities learned about this successful fraternal venture they followed suit.

Triskelion Youth Movement

Another first in the history of fraternity in the Philippines. True to its objective of changing the elitist orientation of the fraternity system, the Tau Gamma Phi decided to open its doors to aspiring youth in the community through the Triskelion Youth Movement (T.Y.M.), so that they too, who temporarily stopped pursuing higher education to continue their chosen vocation, may also share in the glory of the Tau Gamma Phi. Another first in the history of fraternity in the Philippines. Again conceptualized and conceived by the Fraternity's Metro Manila Regional Council through the enigmatic leadership of then Secretary-General Atty. Ramoncito "Monching" Ocampo.

Like the Junior Triskelions, the Triskelion Youth Movement was born out of necessity. As Triskelions they also persevered to preserve the Fraternity's existence during its trying times. Numerous notable alumni of the Tau Gamma Phi actually started their Fraternal Journey as Triskelions in the T.Y.M.

The Triskelion Youth Movement (TYM), since its very inception, has been quite controversial and to say the least, the most misunderstood and even maligned outreach movement of our fraternal organization. Perhaps, a brief yet historical account of its foundation would provide the brods with a positive outlook with
regard to the TYM, the underlying reason for its foundation, its invaluable contribution to the fraternity's survival during the turbulent years of our fraternity's history and its positive role in the TAU GAMMA PHI's pursuit to excellence in the 21st century.

First of all, let me reiterate the TRISKELIONS GRAND FRATERNITY aka
TAU GAMMA PHI's avowed purpose and mission for existence is:" TO
REFORM THE EXISTING FRATERNITY SYSTEM OF ENDLESS VIOLENT RUMBLES AND
TRANSFORM IT INTO ONE WHERE FRATERNITIES, PROFESSING THE UNIVERSAL
BROTHERHOOD OF MEN, CAN LIVE IN PEACEFUL CO-EXISTENCE AND ITS
MEMBERS TO BE THE ROLE MODELS OF THE PHILIPPINE SOCIETY."

The early years of the organization saw the fraternity being engaged in the pursuit of political excellence in the U.P. campus and was able to elect, among others, the President of Arts and Sciences Student Council (the biggest council in the entire university) twice in a row. Prior to the declaration of martial law in 1972, our
fraternity became embroiled in a series of rumbles against equally young fraternities. After martial law was declared, we were engaged in a 4-year violent struggle against the U.P. Sigma Rho Fraternity, which boasted of Juan Ponce Enrile as a staunch member-supporter and who was then the Secretary of Defense. The struggle eventually ended and we were victorious! Inevitably and ostensibly due to leftist leanings, the fraternity's office was raided under an Arrest-Search
and Seizure order signed by Mr. Enrile, fortunately, no one was at
the office that time.

Thereafter we had a short-lived struggle against the Beta Sigma Fraternity sometime in 1975. 1976 saw the tragic beginning of a bloody and protracted struggle against which admittedly should not have been our enemy but was actually, our strong ally at the Adamson University when we first started a chapter in that area, namely the
Alpha Phi Omega fraternity. It was the opinion by the then Secretary-General at that time, the late Allen Hernandez, that the rumble against the APO fraternity should not have happened. So much so when we suffered our first fatality, Hernando Guevarra of Adamson University, who was killed in an ambush enroute to an S.O.S.
mission, he specifically ordered no physical retaliation to be launched against the APO fraternity. In his words he said "let Nando's death be a lesson to all of us." Essentially, he called for a halt in the hostilities and ordered the brods to go back to school and instead of going to an offensive, just to be on a defensive mode against the enemy. The rumble erupted anew a few weeks later in the University of the Philippines when a certain member, now deceased, of the APO fraternity, the son of the then U.P. president, had a motorcycle accident near the campus, allegedly due to his own fault. For one reason or another, he blamed the U.P. TAU GAMMA PHI as the
culprits and immediately on that same day, they launched an offensive against the U.P. Brods, caught them offguard, mauling a former GT and a Grand Council office. The next day, a 25-strong Tarantula of the U.P. chapter led by no less than Secretary-General Allen Hernandez clashed against a strong 100-men attack-force of the APO fraternity along the corridors of U.P. and in the ensuing melee, one of the frontliners of the APO fraternity, a certain Abad, suffered a mortal stab wound. Coming from a prominent family during the Marcos Era, his death was chronicled almost daily in the major newspapers of the Philippines resulting in a very negative, albeit nationwide publicity of the so-called notoriety of the TAU GAMMA PHI.

Shortly thereafter, Bro Allen accepted gainful employment and stepped down from his position as Gen-Sec and asked me to take over. With rumbles erupting in the different chapters, there was not much choice for me but to accept until the crisis is over. From 1976, the fraternity became engaged in continuing, vicious and bloody rumbles against the APO fraternity. In 1977, with most chapter in rumble
status against them and hearing that they may have sustained a few more fatalities from the many clashes against our Tarantulas, we could not hold a regional convention reasonably anticipating that the APO fraternity will attack us in full force in retaliation. In fact at one time, 13 out of 14 recognized senior chapters of the
fraternity had ongoing rumbles against the same, not to mention the other unrecognized chapters which was also engage in similar rumbles. This were no mere coincidence for we heard from intelligence reports that the order by the national council of the APO fraternity was to totally annihilate our fraternity until we've
wiped out of the campuses. In the meantime, the fighting force of the fraternity dwindled down dramatically every semester, with the brods either going inactive, being sent home to provinces by their parents after learning of their Triskelion affiliation or simply being kicked-out of school for non-attendance due to rumbles. After seeing a mere 150-200 brods attend a regional convention in 1978,
when our fraternity supposed to be numbering approximately 2,000. I exhorted the recruitment of new fighting members as a grave priority. In estimation at the rate the fighting ranks in each chapter were thinning out, from an average of 50-60 each chapter to an average of 25-30 and recruitment of senior brods being very
difficult due to the prevailing rumble conditions, our fraternity's survival is definitely at stake and will be severely prejudiced, perhaps irreparably, in about 2-3 years. The successful revival-recruitment of the junior (high school) ranks starting at San
Sebastian College, supplied much needed muscle in the university belt area struggle but being young and inexperienced and despite heroic hearts, I sadly concluded that they faced an unfair disadvantage against the enemy's overwhelming battle-hardened strike force which seems to be coming from all directions.

In the latter part of 1978, several suggestions were being considered by the GT's, like the Tarantula-Brods dropping from school to fight against APO fraternity on a full time basis or calling on the alumni brods to assist us in the struggle, both of which I disapproved, reasoning that we are primarily students who are in school to graduate but who unfortunately, are entangled in a protracted war and I did not feel right about calling on the alumni brods who are probably striving hard to earn a living to feed their respective families. It was one of these meetings that someone mentioned that some out of school youth were interested to join our fraternity. As the brods debated for the issue and as I pondered about the interesting proposal there was some reservations in my mind about its propriety as the TAU GAMMA PHI has always been a campus-based fraternity and recruiting out-of-school youth may indeed, not be appropriate. However seeing that there was really no existing prohibition against such recruitment, and aptly guided by one of the tenets of the fraternity which states the part that..."from whatever cause man has come into being, for whatever
reason he exists, to whatever purpose he is destined, kin to all living creatures around him, MAN IS BROTHER UNTO MAN..." I proposed the establishment and organization of the out-of-school youth outreach program of the fraternity to be henceforth known as the "TRISKELION YOUTH MOVEMENT (TYM)." I also reasoned that the main reason that many of the Philippine youth are out-of-school is
because their parents simply cannot financially afford to send them
to school and that is no reason for anyone to be refused membership into the TAU GAMMA PHI. If at the same time, these out-of-school youth would incidentally, be able to provide much needed reinforcements to the ongoing struggle, so much the better. If I may so, take a contrary position is simply an elitist attitude which has
no place in a dynamic brotherhood of men such as the TAU GAMMA PHI.

As has always been practice during my term as Secretary-General from 1976-1979, this proposal or any major proposal for that matter, can only be approved by a unanimous vote of the GT's of the recognized chapters present, i.e., each chapter had veto power. As such the brods were enjoined to always attend the meetings, otherwise, they were pre-empted from challenging any decision of the Regional
Council. Incidentally, please note that in all of these regional meetings almost all of these chapters attend each meeting and we always have a quorum, otherwise it was agreed that I will automatically resign from my position as Gen-Sec for lack of self-
confidence. To the best of my recollection, all 14 recognized chapters approved the establishment ot the TYM. We were not able to work out the guidelines except that the TYM Brods who are under the direct supervision of any recognized senior chapter may be recruited by senior or junior brods but can only be initiated within the presence of senior brods to assure the conformity with fraternal initiation rites. As an afterthought, I also had a vision that maybe, eventually the TYM will also play a crucial role in the fraternity's future roles as grassroots political machinery since we
already had a foretaste of the political arena in Assemblyman's Alinca's campaign. In addition, I envisioned the TYM community chapter to play a key role in the fraternity's civic action projects not only in Metro Manila but in the entire archipelago as soon as peaceful co-existence can be established with our rival
fraternities.

With the continuous influx of fresh members from the TYM sector, the war against the APO fraternity started to go in our favor and the survival of the fraternity was no longer at stake. The crisis was over. I decided not to run for another term as Secretary-General and relinquished the position to Bro. Jay de Castro whom I advise to put guidelines to the growing TYM ranks to assure control and direction, unfortunately, no guidelines were ever put into place and it is well known to many officers of the regional council that one or two of our founding fathers, particularly Bro. Rod Confessor and lately Bro. Roy Ordinario do not totally approve of the rationale or the establishment of the TYM. Sadly, I was not able to be physically
present to fight for the TYM's welfare as I had to leave for the United States sometime in 1981. The TYM eventually developed into a community-based recruiting not only out-of-school youth but full time students as well, from the most impoverished areas of Tondo to the most affluent Dasmarinas Village and from the provinces of Aparri to the remote areas of Jolo. It is worthy to note and to the
best of my knowledge, the TYM ranks boasts of an incumbent congressman from Batangas, a practicing doctor from Texas, U.S.A., and many other professionals in the Philippine society.

Perhaps, this detailed insight as to the foundation of the TYM will enable the brods to decide for themselves whether this momentous decision on my part was the right one or not. As for me Bro. Tito Venida, who is the real brains behind the formulation of the TAU GAMMA PHI, as well as many dedicated brods in the United States, we
will always be behind the TRISKELION YOUTH MOVEMENT (TYM) and are ready, willing and able to lead them and whoever is interested among the brods, alumni, seniors and juniors alike, towards the great challenge awaiting us in the 21st century.

Have we ever questioned ourselves what a True Triskelion is? Well, this question can be comprehensively answered by our official color, which is "Gold over Black". We are all aware that the color Gold represents a Triskelion as the Light, and the Black color represents Darkness; so therefore, a Triskelion is the "Light over Darkness" and must never be the other way around.

A light can never be surmounted by darkness no matter how small a light may be. Try to imagine being in a very dark cave with no light coming in from the outside, then answer this question: Would you see a lighted cigarette inside that cave? Well, definitely Yes. No matter how small a source of light is, it can never be overshadowed by darkness; and always remember that a True Triskelion is just like that light. Sometimes, we tend to negate the very essence of our being a
Triskelion through our faulty actions. That is why we hear some comments and criticisms about some who are not being a true Triskelion. Here are some examples on how one becomes a "Darkness"
and ceased to be a "Light" :

1. If you are introducing illegal and harmful drugs to a brod or to anybody, then you are the "Darkness" and not the "Light";

2. If you are a problem child then you are not a "Light";

3. If you have a bad habit of always insulting and discouraging other people, then you are not a "Light";

4. If you are a swindler then you are not a "Light";

5. If you are corrupt then you are not a "Light";

6. If you are pessimistic or a Negative Thinker then you are not a "Light";

7. If you don’t follow our Code of Conduct then you are not a "Light".

Fellow Triskelions, the hardest part of our Triskelion life was not the initiation rites but rather the how to become a Triskelion is the most difficult one. Nobody is a perfect Triskelion but having in mind and in our hearts, the essence of a True Triskelion is vital in our Fraternity Life. I would also like to stress that a True Triskelion is a God-Centered person because having fear in God will always inspire and encourage us to always do the right thing, and therefore always being a "Light over Darkness". It doesn’t matter what Religion we are in as long as it is God Almighty we are worshiping, then it is of vital importance in our quest to become a True Triskelion.

My dear brods and sis, this may sound so idealistic, but I always believe that in order to achieve the fullest of oneself then it is important to aim for what is ideal. Since what is ideal for us Triskelions is being that "Light" then we must aim to become that "Light"… "Gold over Black", "Light over Darkness"; Let us make it happen!

Good Luck to all of us Triskelions!

The Tenets and Code of Conduct were composed by our founding fathers more than 42 years ago as an answer to the then prevailing social environment. Student upheaval juxtaposed against the birth of flower power, as we all know by now, marked the political landscape. Fraternities then, were convenient refuges against isolation and despair - of a want of direction and purpose. As a consequence, the Tau Gamma Phi was born. The birth of the Tau Gamma Phi was in response to the insidious violent orientation and such other unsavory notions about fraternities. The founding fathers originally made up of six members, deemed it wise to codify the Triskelion principles to enshrine this antithesis. Even a cursory glance at the Tenets and Code of Conduct will reveal this objective.

Given the altruistic tenor of the Triskelion doctrines, it is a wonder how our
beloved fraternity evolved into what it was then and what it is now. For the beauty and truth embodied in our doctrines were spurred by peace, tolerance, brotherhood and love for life. Never will one find a single word about infliction of pain, death and violence. Our doctrines are imbued with the grandest of intentions, the preservation of harmony and co-existence. Alas and alack, this was not to be so. These human masterpieces were mocked time and time again by unwitting members. Mired in and confused by the fraternity system, they rose up to defend what the Triskelion stood for and, unfortunately, got lost in the fight against the very system they fought hard against.

Hence, to avoid ambivalence, the interpretation of Triskelion doctrines must
always be done in the same spirit as our founding fathers created them. With
open minds and souls, Triskelions must perforce embrace these noble endeavors as a way of life. They must be ingrained in our very hearts, in our very being. Each Tenet, each doctrine in the Code of Conduct, is a law unto itself, which if translated into positive action denotes the conduct of a true citizen of the cosmos.

Indeed, the Triskelion Tenets and Code of Conduct is a marvel of human aspirations, guided by the Supreme Being, and a revolution of ideas. Albeit many have fallen by the wayside in well intentioned but mistaken attempts to preserve them, it is the duty of each and every Triskelion to PRACTICE the doctrines. Lip service will never do justice to the ideal of a true Triskelion as immortalized in our principles.

It is a very fond hope, heretofore, that all Triskelions actually live the
Tenets and Code and Conduct. They must not be consigned to mere ceremonial
uttering - as in their recital during initiations. Rather, our Triskelion
standards would be better served if they were always put within each member's
individual and the fraternity's collective consciousness. Once there, the Tenets
and Code of Conduct shall be engraved in stone.

TRISKELION -The conglomeration of Three

Dynamic Forces in the Universe.

· FORTIS - inner and outer strength

· VOLUNTAS - free will and initiative

· FRATERNITAS - brotherhood

MISSION - Our Statement of Purpose

The Tau Gamma Phi exist to:

· Develop Triskelions who shall be Leaders among men

· Foster Positive Change in the Fraternity System and in our Society

VISION - Our Common Aspirations

1. Leaders among men

· Excelling in their chosen fields of endeavor

2. Change Agents in the Fraternity System and in our Society

· Advocating inter-fraternity peace & cooperation

· Engaging in friendly competition

· Supporting good governance

· Modeling active community service